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“As it pleases you, O Christ, we ask that Your diaconate grow in strength and numbers in those many places where your presence as Servant is required—as throughout the life of the Church, indeed, deacons have been “needed and necessary” for “many things” pleasing to you.”

“Many laymen . . . are understandably hesitant about whether they will be able to meet their existing family-based and work-based commitments should they become deacons. Stressing that there is no obligation for a deacon to become a priest will encourage many laypeople to consider the opportunities for service that the diaconate offers.”

“The apostolic order of deaconesses should be revived. It was never altogether abandoned in the Orthodox Church though it has tended to fall into disuse. The deaconess was ordained within the sanctuary during the Divine Liturgy with two prayers, she received the Orarion (the deacon’s stole) and received Holy Communion at the Altar."

From “Conclusions of the Inter-orthodox Consultation on The Place of the Woman in the Orthodox Church and the Question of the Ordination of Women (Rhodes, Greece – 30 October. – 7 Nov. 1988)” [button]

"Ignatius of Antioch is quite clear and categorical about the role of all clergy, including deacons, for the very “constitution” of the Church: “Without these [the bishop, presbyters and deacons],” he writes, “it [the community] cannot be called a church.” Deacons are not simply ornamental (of the bene esse) but essential (of the esse) for the Church.”

Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis in address to the Antiochian Archdiocese Clergy Symposium

Answer: In keeping with the diaconate’s tradition of the past, deacons may serve in many capacities as circumstances, needs and talents allow: assisting their bishop, assisting with liturgical worship, teaching, philanthropy, pastoral visits to give Holy Communion, administration...

Welcome to OrthodoxDeacons.org!

Welcome to “Orthodox Deacons,” a group of men and women who care deeply about expanding the ministry of ordained deacons in the Orthodox Church. Through this website we hope you will get involved in this rejuvenation by engaging. . .

in humble prayer . . .

* to discern God’s will regarding this ministry and the needs of the church

at this website . . .

*to read, sign and send to others the diaconate prayer calling for full rejuvenation*to learn about the diaconate and share with others

in your community . . .

*to discuss respectfully your community needs with your priest, bishops and others*to start an informal study or discussion group about this ministry*to support those who are called by the Holy Spirit to enter diaconal programs*to embrace ordained deacons with respect and love.

Your involvement while striving “to hear the word of God and do it,” can help rejuvenate the witness of the fullness of the ordained ministry, bringing new vigor and vitality to the Orthodox Church and the body of Christ in those places where this may be needed.

Deacon Saints

Deacon Saints

The church has many saints who served as Deacons and Deaconesses. Here's a list of the most well known and not so well known Deacon Saints of the Church.